Retailers from Europe and Asia are in an auction battle for the south-east Asian assets of the French supermarket chain Carrefour.

The French company put the stores on the market after a strategic decision to withdraw from Asian countries where it stood no chance of becoming market leader.

The portfolio consists of 40 supermarkets in Thailand, 19 in Malaysia and two in Singapore; and is expected to fetch around €780 million.

Automaker Nissan has announced a partnership with the state of Hawaii to promote electric vehicles (EVs) and their supporting charging network across the state.

The partnership was announced at the Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo in Honolulu, and is Nissan’s first definitive agreement in the United States. The zero emission all-electric Nissan Leaf will be available in Hawaii beginning in January 2011.

Africa-focused oil company Afren has announced strong interim results on the back of higher oil prices, and looks set to double production this year.

The London-based company recorded pre-tax profits for the six months to 30 June of $75.4 million (approximately €59.2 million).

Egypt’s retail scene has barely changed in decades; but that hasn’t stopped Procter & Gamble from trying to help modernise from within, as Alan Swaby learns.

In recent times Ghana has emerged as a potential major new oil player in West Africa’s resource-rich region. Tullow Oil Ghana’s Stuart Wheaton tells Andrew Pelis of the challenges at the forefront of discovery.

Andy Haslam, managing director of iron ore producer Territory Resources, is delighted to be mirroring the growth of Asia’s resurgent economies. Jayne Flannery reports.

As governments around the world invest in power infrastructure, competition has become rife within this specialist construction sector. Mr V. Balasubramanian talks to Andrew Pelis about the strategy that has helped KEC International Ltd to make the most of the opportunity.

Strategic clarity is the key to unlocking the treasures of South Africa’s shallow gold resources for the country’s most dynamic recent market entrant. Neal Froneman, CEO of Gold One International (Africa), talks to Jayne Flannery.

The global economic downturn has meant opportunity for AMEC Minproc to expand its activities in Africa, as Ruari McCallion learns from Colin Kubank.

Gifford’s Ice Cream, central Maine’s third-generation family ice cream business, has been acclaimed “Grade A & Ice Cream Grand Champion” at the 2010 World Dairy Expo. Gifford’s also earned the title of “World’s Best Chocolate” for the third time.

The only international judging contest of its kind, the World Dairy Expo is considered the industry’s most important dairy competition. The awards will be presented to winners at this year’s five-day Expo in Madison, to take place September 28 – October 2.